Last week the Michigan Chapter hosted a legislative breakfast in the state capital of Lansing, Michigan, following the recent introduction of HB 4603, legislation that would provide patients and consumers direct access to physical therapy services. HB 4603 was introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives May 3 and referred to the House Health Policy Committee.

"We have prepared our members with the facts," said Michigan Chapter Legislative Director Mike Shoemaker, PT, DPT, GCS. "The chapter's talking points helped our members communicate with their legislators with confidence. Our commitment to finally passing direct consumer access legislation has never been higher."

The breakfast drew record attendance. Attendees heard from Rep Margaret O' Brien (R-District 61, Portage), sponsor of HB 4603. O'Brien has personally benefitted from physical therapy services. She eagerly shares her personal story to educate other legislators and ask for their support of HB 4603.

"We appreciate all the work from the Michigan Chapter members, the continued support from APTA, and are delighted that chapter members are ready for the ongoing work that passing legislation always requires," said Michigan Chapter President Jake Jakubiak Kovacek, PT.

Michigan is 1 of 4 states that do not yet allow citizens to seek physical therapy treatment without a physician referral or prescription.

Way to go, Jake! Thanks for all the hard work you and your team have put in!

Posted by Mary Sinnott -> =NYbC
on 5/19/2011 3:32 PM

Keep up the hard work Michigan! Keep your eyes on the prize, and help the profession bring Vision 2020 to reality. In order to enact this vision of autonomous practice many small victories need to take place including each and every state achieving direct access.

Posted by Ryan Grella
on 5/19/2011 4:31 PM

I miss the Michigan Chapter

Posted by Clarke Seyler
on 5/20/2011 3:09 PM

Wishing Michigan PTs great success in achieving direct access!
From a PT walking on the same road in California.

Posted by Lise McCarthy
on 5/20/2011 3:49 PM

Thank you to all of the dedicated team at the MPTA and its members for making this happen in our great state of Michigan! As Ryan Grella stated, "many small victories need to take place..," in order to meet our goals of 2020!

Posted by Carol Ciesielski, PT, DPT, MPT
on 5/20/2011 4:51 PM

Jake and MPTA,
I can remember discussions about direct access as far back as the early 80s. It's (past) time. You are fighting the good fight!

Posted by Trevor Swan, PT
on 5/20/2011 8:21 PM

Hurray, hurray! I will keep calling and pestering on my end. As always, let me know how I can help. Thanks to Jake and Mike and the rest of the board for their fantastic efforts. I appreciate what you do and know how hard it is.

Posted by Janine Moore, PT, MS, OCS, Cert. MDT
on 5/20/2011 9:16 PM

Thanks for HB4603. I am Michigan PT.We are doing this things for few years. Politician understand two things. Money or Vote. Michigan PT (APTA member & Non members)should have solid block of votes. Irrespective of personal preference We should vote candidate who support our bill. In simple word Michigan PT votes for sale. We can directly tell
Politician 8 thousand votes are available for you if you pass PT direct access bill.
These crook politician has taste of money lobby .They are hungry for votes. Simply showing good work is not going to help.We have to work on their
weak points.

Posted by deepak
on 5/23/2011 8:44 AM

Thanks to Jake and the MPTA for all of the hours and years they have dedicated to this. Keep sending in the PAC money, everyone--it is helping!

Posted by Barbara BJ Simmons
on 5/24/2011 1:09 PM

I don't know why everyone is so excited about Direct Access. What good does it do us? The lords of the world (insurance companies) will not let that happen now. We can't see a patient, who has insurance and wants to use it, without a referral from their doctor. So could you please tell me how Direct Access is such a great thing? Minnesota has had direct access for awhile now and we have yet to have a patient come in here without a referral from their doctor.

Posted by Mary Peterson
on 5/26/2011 10:11 AM

Thanks Prof Jake and all the members to bring us one step closer to vision 2020!